While the CTA and Metra are considering fare hikes and service cuts for their 2012 budgets, our legislators in DC are considering massive cuts to funding for public transit.

Our transit agencies are already having a hard enough time maintaining stations and keeping buses and trains running. If federal funding cuts are implemented, transit riders can expect even more service delays, fare increases and over-crowding.

The House and Senate last week approved a six-month extension of funding for transit, walking and biking. But the debate starts now on a longer term transportation bill.

Transit advocates across the country will be joining together tomorrow for a Don’t X Out Public Transportation Rally to send the message to Congress that we need to increase investment in transit. Our elected leaders have put transit on the back-burner for long enough!